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Yankees news: The 2027 schedule drop

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 05: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees singles during the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on July 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

SNY | Alex Smith: MLB announced full schedules for the 2027 season Thursday. The Yankees will start the campaign at home with three-game sets against the Blue Jays and Athletics before heading to Cleveland and then Pittsburgh on a road trip. The Subway Series will be held in Queens from May 28-30 and in the Bronx from July 16-18. The Yankees close out the year with three consecutive series against division opponents that could prove pivotal to the playoff race.

New York Post | Jack Harris: When the Dodgers take the field this weekend in the Bronx, they’ll be without their best pitcher. After having his knee drained over the All-Star break, Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound against the Yankees. The Dodgers are hopeful he’ll be able to remain in their lineup at DH. Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are scheduled to start during the three-game set. Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA through 14 starts this year.

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: ($) Cam Schlittler likes to pitch angry, using slights (real or perceived) to motivate him. The Yankees have been adding fuel to the fire. Ahead of his eight-inning, one-run performance against the Rays last week, Yankees director of organizational performance Chad Bohling played a clip of podcaster Jared Carrabis saying Schlittler was regressing. The motivational tactic is a trend that dates back to college, when the little-heralded prospect would consume media that failed to mention him to keep him hungry. It’s an approach he hopes is well-suited for the Big Apple. “We’ve seen a lot of guys come here and try to play, and they can’t do it,” Schlittler said. “That’s why they leave. They may have had successful careers. It’s my first full year, though. I could be saying all this, and in a few years, it might not work out. I’m confident it will. I feel like I handle that stuff well. There’s added pressure, but I welcome that. I think we need to be held to a high standard.”

Greg Joyce | New York Post: A profile on Hunter Dietz, the Yankees’ first-round pick in last weekend’s MLB Draft. After missing the beginning of his college career almost entirely due to a stress fracture in his elbow, the southpaw made 16 starts this year for Arkansas, striking out 131 in 85 ²/₃ innings. The Yankees have been following Dietz since high school, and were encouraged enough by what he showed this year to make him their top pick. He expressed enthusiasm about his landing spot, saying “there’s a lot of potential that I need to unlock. I just feel like this staff is perfect for me, once I start my buildup, just to get ready for next year and the coming outings that I’m going to have. I feel like it’s just perfect for me as a player.”

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Francisco Alvarez homers twice as Mets beat Phillies 4-1 under smoky sky

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Francisco Alvarez homered twice, Brett Baty also went deep and the New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Thursday night in the first major league game following the All-Star break.

The start time was pushed up an hour and the teams played under a hazy sky with diminishing air quality because of smoke that moved into the region from wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota.

Christian Scott (3-1) pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings for the Mets, who launched three solo homers off starter Aaron Nola.

New York slugger Juan Soto was removed in the eighth because of left calf soreness, but interim manager Andy Green said the All-Star outfielder is expected back in the lineup this weekend. Soto missed about 2 1/2 weeks in April with a right calf strain.

Alvarez drove a 1-2 slider over the center-field fence in the third. The catcher added his 11th homer of the season in the seventh, when he went back-to-back with Baty.

A.J. Ewing added an insurance run for the Mets with an RBI double in the ninth. Devin Williams got three quick outs for his 100th career save and 14th this season.

Scott allowed three hits and struck out seven, posting consecutive scoreless starts for the first time in his big league career. He nearly gave up a tying homer to the final batter he faced, but Kyle Schwarber’s long fly hit the railing atop the right-field wall and ricocheted back into play for a double.

Nola (3-7) gave up just one run and three hits through six innings, but Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly sent the right-hander back out for the seventh even though he had thrown 90 pitches and a reliever was ready in the bullpen. That’s when Nola served up back-to-back homers to Baty and Alvarez.

Trea Turner homered for Philadelphia in the eighth, the first home run by a right-handed hitter off Mets reliever Luke Weaver this season.

Weaver had gone 25 straight appearances without allowing an earned run. The streak dated to May 1 and was tied for the second-longest in team history.

Before the game, the Mets reinstated second baseman Marcus Semien from the injured list and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment. Semien didn’t play. He had been on the IL since June 25 with a left hip flexor strain.

Up next

After a rare Friday off, the Mets and Phillies resume their series on Saturday. LHP Sean Manaea (2-4, 4.56 ERA) is scheduled to start for New York against LHP JesĂşs Luzardo (8-4, 3.51).

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Warriors must love the trajectory of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg's summer league

Warriors must love the trajectory of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg's summer league originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Yaxel Lendeborg’s rapid rocket ride into the galaxy is, six games into NBA Summer League, descending back toward Earth. The Warriors could not have scripted it any better.

The rookie introduced himself with savvy passes, rebounds in traffic, forceful drives to the hoop and deep shooting that was too fantastic to sustain. He didn’t do more than enough to drizzle a fine mist of optimism over Warriors fans, who, while waiting for a LeBron James decision, are longing for any reason to cheer.

Through Lendeborg’s first four games – two in the California Classic, two in Las Vegas – the team’s 2026 lottery pick, No. 11 overall, did plenty to satisfy his new employer. His shooting was particularly impressive, as the 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward was 13 of 21 (61.9 percent) from deep.

The next two games brought a dose of reality. Lendeborg on Thursday delivered his poorest scoring performance yet: a scoreless first half, finishing with 1-of 9 shooting from the field, including 1 of 6 from deep, in an 87-77 win over the New York Knicks. He played 28 minutes, scoring three points.

Two nights earlier, the Warriors were blown off the floor by the Memphis Grizzlies. The 106-85 loss was Golden State’s worst showing thus far. Lendeborg played 29 minutes, scoring 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 0 of 2 from distance. He had a game-high nine rebounds and a game-high four turnovers.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, in Las Vegas to witness each of the last two games, was able to witness the rookie look like a rookie. There were a few highlights – mostly on defense and passing – but enough lowlights to expose flaws to address.

Kerr surely loved what he saw. Lendeborg submitted the kind of work that puts a smile on the face of any coach because it creates a smooth runway to constructive criticism. There wasn’t much to critique when Lendeborg was the best offensive player on the floor, displaying a high hoops IQ and shooting as if in a dream. Dreamy shooting from the jump sometimes can get into the head of a rookie, convincing him that maybe the NBA isn’t so challenging.

Oh, it is.

The best thing for Lendeborg’s psyche was to have a couple games in which he makes little impact and can’t find his shot. Seeing shots go through the net is a source of energy, especially for young players. It breeds confidence that can seep into other elements in a positive way. It also can lead to overconfidence – which is the worst enemy of someone who has yet to play an official NBA game.

The early read on Lendeborg is that he is confident but not driven by ego. He listens to coaches, sees his teammates and values what they’re able to contribute. That was the case last season, too, as he led the University of Michigan to a national championship.

In his first three weeks as a Warrior, he has done nothing to alter that assessment.

Moreover, Lendeborg has been openly critical of himself. He knows his place in the league’s hierarchy – he doesn’t need reminders from new teammate Draymond Green – but also knows he belongs. Lendeborg has done enough encouraging things for the Warriors to shut him down in Vegas. There is no better way to send a rookie into a disciplined offseason program than knowing he struggled in front of live audiences.

This dip in performance gives Lendeborg plenty to study as Summer League moves into the playoffs. He wants, and knows he needs, to improve his conditioning before training camp begins in late September.

The incredible beginning, followed by a reality check, is the ideal way for a talented rookie to wade into the hardest part of his offseason.

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McInnes hints at imminent Rangers arrivals

Manager Derek McInnes has suggested Rangers could complete more signings before Wednesday's friendly meeting with St-Etienne at Ibrox on Wednesday.

Rangers, third in last season's Scottish Premiership, have already brought in six new recruits, with Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin following McInnes from Tynecastle to Ibrox.

"The club has done brilliant work at this moment in time to try and bring in the additions that we clearly needed," McInnes said in a club media interview from the club's Spanish training camp.

"We want to make sure we are a more rounded squad when it comes to the bit that we're ready, but the work will be ongoing. We're still looking to try and get a couple of things done ahead of the St-Etienne game.

"We're two weeks away from Dundee United [opening day of the league campaign], and I feel that the fitness of the players is a lot better and stronger to where we want it to be, from when we set off a couple of weeks ago."

Rangers ended their camp with a 2-2 draw against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim, with McInnes calling it "a good test against a team who are well up and running in their season".

Devlin, Ivor Pandur and Thelo Aasgaard will join training on Monday after their involvement at the World Cup and McInnes welcomes the "jag of quality" the trio will bring.

McInnes, who steered Hearts to second place last term, also stressed the importance of team building in the early days of his reign.

"I want us to be more together as a squad," he said. "What we have is a lot of good individuals and we saw signs of that last season - Rangers, at times, were really strong. Individually, players were at a good level, but when it came to it, we needed to be more of a team.

"I really want to build that work ethic, that togetherness that gets you through tough times."

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Warriors to face Lakers in Summer League playoffs after 87-77 win over New York Knicks

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: LJ Cryer #18 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

LJ Cryer made it to the Final Four twice in his college career, going to the finals each time. His five three-pointers lifted the Golden State Warriors to a date with the Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals of NBA Summer League on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The Warriors defeated the New York Knicks, 87-77, on Thursday, behind Cryer’s 17 points and five assists. That raised their record to 3-1 in summer contests, and earned them the No. 4 seed in the summer playoffs thanks to a +6.3 point differential (nine teams went 3-1). The second seed is the Memphis Grizzlies, who rode their roster of 23-year-old and four-year Summer League veterans to a 3-1 record and a +11.5 differential, and the third seed is the Houston Rockets (+11.0), who have gotten huge scoring efforts from No. 31 pick Bruce Thornton.

The Grizzlies handed the Warriors their only loss in Las Vegas with a dominant effort, helped in part by having a team full of players who were born while “Friends” was still on the air. Memphis suffered their only loss when Jaden Springer, who has played in the NBA for five seasons, had a big game for the Dallas Mavericks off the bench. That’s really the best way to win at Summer League: Be too old for the tournament.

That’s especially true for the top-seeded, undefeated Lakers. They overwhelmed the Chicago Bulls Thursday thanks to three three-pointers and five assists from 30-year-old Calgary Surge star Jon Elmore, who debuted perhaps the first baldness-based celebration in NBA history after one huge shot.

How did the rest of the Warriors do? Will Richard appears to have graduated from Summer League after three games, so second-round pick Lajae Jones started in his place and scored 13 points on 6-for-16 shooting, with three steals. He threw down a very nice alley-oop from Yaxel Lendeborg early in the third quarter.

As for the Warriors’ first-round pick, he had only three points and shot 1-for-9, but added six rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks. Two of Lendeborg’s misses came on chasedown blocks from Pacome Dadiet, and in our opinion the rookie gets a pass since he couldn’t see him either time.

But he didn’t get frustrated and kept playing hard, including a number of plays where he swallowed up Knicks players. Dadiet hit the side of the backboard trying to get free of Yaxel on one play.

When Lendeborg finally hit a three in the 4th quarter, the crowd at the smaller Cox Pavilion gym went wild.

Graham Ike continued his solid, unspectacular Summer League with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. He’s averaging 10.3 points and seven rebounds while shooting 45.2%. Malevy Leons had 13 points and six rebounds while Chase McMillian added 11 points and three triples off the bench and is now shooting 8-for-16 from behind the arc for Summer League and 57.1% in his last three games.

Deivon Smith remains a bit of a summer disappointment, going scoreless with two turnovers. He may still be coming back from a right wrist fracture that ended a short-but-stellar season with the Santa Cruz Warriors. Smith had two triple-doubles in nine game for the Sea Dubs, averaging 17.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. Expect to see him back at Santa Cruz and in training camp, where he’ll be a longshot to earn a two-way contract, based on how Cryer and McMillian have shot the ball in Las Vegas (Cryer has made 13 threes in 100 Summer League minutes, tied for 5th-most in Summer League).

Now the Warriors have to get past first-rounder Cameron Carr, 2025 second-rounder Adou Thiero, and the ageless Elmore if they want to reach the Summer League promised land. As of 2022, they’ll even get rings for winning it all.

We know these are exhibition games. Still, firing up Amazon Prime on Saturday at 5:30 might be your best chance to see a Warriors team make a deep playoff run this season.

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SF Giants face a gauntlet before All-Star break based on 2027 schedule

The two teams locked in a battle for fourth place in the National League West will renew their rivalry early and late next season. That battle might come down to the bitter end as the San Francisco Giants close the 2027 season with a three-game series at Coors Field.

The season will kick off early, on Thursday, March 25 in San Francisco, before the teams take a well-earned rest day on Friday before continuing the series. The Giants start the season with six games against NL West opponents, then don’t see a division rival for five more weeks, when they travel to UNIQLO Field to face a Los Angeles Dodgers team that will probably have added Robbie Ray, Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, and LeBron James in free agency.

They won’t play the San Diego Padres until May 24, to start one of their two 10-game homestands of the season. The second 10-game stretch at Oracle Park will follow the All-Star Break, starting with the A’s, ending with the Padres, and stuffed with a whopping four-game helping of Rockies in the middle. September has a nine-game homestand and jsut two six-game road trips,

Do you like June Swoons? The Giants are set up for one of those next season, with trips to San Diego, Arizona, Philadelphia, and Toronto, and visits from the Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, and the New York Mets, who have to be better next season, right?

The reward for making it through the June gauntlet is a 10-game road trip leading into the break, including a stretch of 16 games in 16 days. It could be brutal for the pitching staff, with a four-game series in the launching pad of Arizona’s ballpark followed by three games at the moon base of Coors Field, which is an even better hitters’ park

But things ease up as the season progresses. August begins with the Dodgers, Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and Dodgers again, but then the Giants get six games with the Miami Marlins, three each with the Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, and the A’s. September has a nine-game homestand and just two six-game road trips, each featuring a strange geographic double: St. Louis-San Diego and Minneapolis-Denver.

After the All-Star Break, the Giants have 34 home games to 30 road games, with 67% of their matchups taking place in California. It’s hard to predict exactly which games will be tough one year out, but it feels safe to say that the Dodgers and Brewers will continue to be difficult opponents, and the Giants play both in separate six-game stretches in early May and early August.

What’s going to be the easiest ticket to buy? The Wednesday, September 1 home game against the Cleveland Guardians, likely to be an afternoon contest. If you really want to catch a foul ball, circle this game on your calendar.

Is it a tough schedule? At a glance, the Giants seem to have easier American League opponents at home and a tougher inter-league road schedule, while the season may vacillate wildly from brutal stretches to easier ones. Generally, this a tougher schedule in the hot parts of summer but starts and ends fairly gently. This team could rack up a lot of wins early, assuming they have a bullpen and not a bunch of weird zealots who don’t believe in evolution or throwing strikes to the leadoff man. And they’re generally less sucky.

But if they don’t get off to a good start, it might be a long, long summer. Specifically from June 14-July 11, hoo boy.

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Lakers to play Warriors in Las Vegas Summer League Semifinals

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Chris Manon #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Chase Center on July 03, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Summer League has been a tremendous success for the Lakers. In the California Classic, they went 2-1, and in Las Vegas Summer League play, they’ve won all four of their games, punching their ticket to the Semifinals.

The Lakers are set to play the Warriors on Saturday. The matchup will be played at the Thomas & Mack Center at 5:30 p.m. PT and will air on Prime Video.

Lakers-Warriors is always a compelling game because of the regional rivalry, but add in the fact that LA lost to Golden State in the California Classic, and this game is suddenly even more interesting. The purple and gold can avenge their only loss during Summer League and by doing so advance to the title game.

This year’s Lakers Summer League squad has had a handful of players that have stood out.

Adou Thiero has scored in double figures in each contest in Las Vegas. He’s shown off his athleticism, with some monster dunks. Cameron Carr is looking like a rotational player and has shot with tremendous confidence. Arthur Kaluma has delivered some breakout performances and is making a loud case for a two-way spot.

Lakers coach Ty Abbott has had the Lakers playing well on both sides of the ball in Summer League action. Chris MaĂąon is leading the defense, and LA has dominated in all of their wins in Nevada. Now they are just two victories away from winning their second Las Vegas Summer League championship.

LA won their first Las Vegas Summer League championship back in 2017. That roster was oozing with NBA talent as the Lakers had Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Ivica Zubac, Alex Caruso and Josh Hart on that team.

Time will tell if this team has players that will be around the NBA for years to come, but so far they’ve been an impressive group and an exciting team to watch. With the Lakers aiming to get younger and more athletic all across the board, this Summer League team is an encouraging sign for what this new era of LA basketball will look like.

If the Lakers beat the Warriors, they’ll face the winner of Rockets-Grizzlies on Sunday for a shot at another Las Vegas Summer League title.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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LeBron James shouts out Bronny, USC medical staff in TIME 100 speech

LeBron James has had a busy summer thus far. While everyone awaits his announcement of which team he will play for next, he was honored with the cover of Time magazine's "TIME100 Most Influential People in Sports."

In his unrehearsed speech, he discussed the importance of sports and how they got him to where he is today. He also took a personal moment in which he spoke on his gratitude for the University of Southern California medical staff that saved his son.

James' eldest son, Bronny, attended USC during the 2023-24 season. James' son suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a summer basketball workout at USC on July 24, 2023.

Bronny was diagnosed with a functionally significant congenital heart defect.

"Shout out my oldest son Bronny. ... We just had the story obviously with Damar (Hamlin), you know, those guys come up here, talk about cardiac arrest and how important that is. Our son went through something like that a few years ago at USC," the 41-year-old James said. "And obviously, if it wasn't for the coaching staff and the medical team and everybody at USC being there in a timely fashion, we'd possibly be sitting here without our son, our oldest son. So thank you to everybody and all the efforts when it comes to cardiac arrest."

Bronny made a full recovery and played his freshman year with the Trojans, albeit in limited minutes. He went on to become the 55th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bronny and LeBron James then becoming the first father-son duo to share an NBA court.

"Guys, take that serious. If you got kids in elementary, you got kids in middle school, kids in high school, colleges. Make sure they have these devices available where you can get them, practice them. It's very important, super, super important. Obviously, we know how important it is to our family, so we're a big advocate of that," LeBron James said.

Although the elder James will no longer play for the Lakers, his firstborn will remain in LA after his contract with the Lakers became fully guaranteed for $2.3 million on June 30. The 21-year-old has a contract that will pay him this year, with a team option to keep him until his deal expires in 2028.

In the 2025-26 campaign, his second NBA season, Bronny James averaged 2.9 points, 1.2 assists, 0.5 steals in 8.9 minutes per game. He shot 40.9% from the field, 38.6% on 3-point field goals and 85.7% from the free throw line.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: LeBron James shouts out Bronny, USC medical staff in TIME 100 speech

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Cyclist Rohan Dennis pleads guilty to driving with suspended licence after crash that killed wife

Adelaide-based Olympian was banned from driving for five years over Melissa Hoskins’ 2023 death

Former professional cyclist Rohan Dennis faces a jail sentence after admitting he drove while disqualified over the events leading up to the death of his Olympian wife, Melissa Hoskins.

A judge had previously warned the former Olympian he would be jailed if he drove while banned.

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Smoky Mets-Phillies conditions caused ‘burning’ eyes — and felt like ‘you were sitting by a campfire’

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows The sun, with an orange cast from Canadian wildfire smoke, sets above the Philadelphia Phillies scoreboard during a baseball game, Image 2 shows Brett Baty of the New York Mets reacts after hitting a solo home run, Image 3 shows A fan wears a mask due to an air quality warning
Smoky conditions impacted the Mets' game against the Phillies on Monday.

PHILADELPHIA — There have been plenty of nights when people wouldn’t have wanted to see the Mets play.

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On Thursday, they nearly got their wish as the smoke from the Canadian wildfires forced MLB to move up the start of the game and it may have paid off.

“I didn’t think it was bad til the last couple innings,” Brett Baty said after the Mets beat the Phillies 4-1 at Citizens Bank Park.

“My eyes were burning and itching a little bit,’’ Baty said. “[Carson] Benge said it felt like you were sitting by a campfire. It was fun … but it didn’t feel great playing ball with it.”

Despite the adverse conditions, the game didn’t appear to be directly impacted.

Phillies manager Don Mattingly said, “It got almost, like, foggier. Guys didn’t seem to be having trouble.”

The Phillies played the Mets on July 16. AP Photo

Home plate umpire and crew chief Dan Iassogna checked with players and the grounds crew throughout the game and play was never stopped.

Francisco Alvarez, who homered twice, said through an interpreter that “by the end of the game, it was a little more difficult to catch and see.”

Brett Baty celebrates after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning of the Mets’ 4-1 win over the Phillies on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia. Getty Images

That didn’t make it pleasant, as Christian Scott said it “got a little thick” on the field.

The smoke undoubtedly increased throughout the course of the game, but no one lost any fly balls.

A fan wears a mask due to the smoke during the Mets’ July 16 game against the Phillies. AP Photo/Chris Szagola

As interim Mets manager Andy Green said when asked how the conditions may have affected the game, “I don’t think they really did. It felt like they could have at any moment, especially as visibility got tougher.”

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St. Louis Blues sign Connor McMichael to a 6-year, $40.5 million contract

NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals

Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Connor McMichael (24) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Connor McMichael has signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues.

General manager Alex Steen, who took over the job from Doug Armstrong on July 1, announced the deal Thursday. McMichael will count $6.75 million against the salary cap through the 2031-32 NHL season.

McMichael joined the team as part of the return from the Washington Capitals in the Jordan Kyrou trade last month. St. Louis also got a first-round pick and prospect Milton Gastrin.

This long-term contract more than triples McMichael’s salary after he made $2.1 million each of the past two seasons.

The 25-year-old forward is coming off setting a career high with 32 assists and also scoring 14 goals in 78 games with the Capitals. He has 162 points in 333 regular season and playoff games since making his debut in the league in 2021 after getting taken with the 25th pick in the 2019 draft.

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Marcus Semien sits despite return from IL as Brett Baty has big night in Mets’ win

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Marcus Semien, who returned from the IL, bobbles the ball in an attempt to complete a double play during a game earlier this season, Image 2 shows Brett Baty celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning of the Mets' 4-1 win over the Phillies on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Marcus Semien returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list in time for Thursday’s 4-1 win over the Phillies to open the second half of the season, but he wasn’t in the lineup.

It’s an indication of just how poor the veteran second baseman has been in his first season with the Mets, as interim manager Andy Green went with the lefty-swinging Brett Baty against Philadelphia right-hander Aaron Nola.

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And Baty delivered with a pair of hits, including a homer.

“When my name is called, I’ll be ready,’’ Semien said before the game. “I’m ready to play every single day. That’s what I told Andy.”

Asked if Semien and Baty, who was hitting better before the All-Star break- were in something of a lefty-righty platoon, Green said the team wanted to get Semien a full workout day before he started a game, since he was unable to play in any minor league rehab games during the break.

Green added that Semien was expected to be in the lineup Saturday when the Phillies are scheduled to start lefty JesĂşs Luzardo.

“He’ll figure prominently in our mix going forward,’’ Green said of Semien.

Marcus Semien, who returned from the IL on Thursday, bobbles the ball in an attempt to complete a double play during a game earlier this season. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Semien, a significant part of the offseason overhaul undertaken by president of baseball operations David Stearns, had been sidelined since June 24 with a left hip flexor strain.

Even before the injury, though, the 35-year-old was having the worst season of his 14-year career.

Not only has his offense dropped off for a third straight year, Semien has been a below-average defender at second base.

Brett Baty celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning of the Mets’ 4-1 win over the Phillies on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia. Getty Images

Baty can play second and third and Green said he might use him at first, where Jared Young — another lefty hitter — has gotten the bulk of the playing time.

“This is who he is as a hitter and what he can do,” Green said of Baty’s recent hot streak. “He presents a lot of defensive versatility … [and] he’s showing the pop in his bat we believe he has.”

Baty acknowledged he’s had a disappointing year up to this point, saying, “I don’t think it’s been good at all. I hold myself to a way higher standard than the way I’ve been playing. I think the last two or so weeks have been the kind of player I am: hitting the ball hard and playing good defense. That’s all I can really control.”

To open a roster spot for Semien, Zack Short was designated for assignment after starting the last three games before the break at second base.

Short had been starting, in part, because Bo Bichette was dealing with right ankle soreness.

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Bichette was back in the lineup at third base Thursday — with Baty at second — and Green noted, “We definitely could have used his bat in the last series,” when the Mets were swept at home by Boston.

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Penguins Switch Up ECHL Teams, Ending League's Longest-Standing Affiliation

Even if the news doesn't come as a surprise, the Pittsburgh Penguins officially terminated the longest-standing ECHL affiliation in the NHL.

On Thursday, the Penguins announced that they ended their 29-year affiliation with the Wheeling Nailers and subsequently named the Florida Everblades as their new ECHL squad. The news comes a few weeks after the Penguins sale to the Hoffmann Family of Companies became official, when they publicly shared their intention to switch the affiliation to their already-owned franchise in the Everblades.

The Nailers are now without an NHL parent club, while the Everblades were not affiliated with an NHL team at the time of the switch.

End Of An Era: 29 Year Affiliation Has Ended With The Wheeling NailersEnd Of An Era: 29 Year Affiliation Has Ended With The Wheeling NailersA shifting ownership landscape severs the longest active NHL-ECHL partnership, ending a historic developmental pipeline that fueled Pittsburgh’s championship legacy and defined hockey identity in West Virginia.

Wheeling first became the affiliate of the Penguins in 1996, and since then, it helped develop multiple NHL players as well as several top prospects, including goaltender Sergei Murashov, defenseman Finn Harding, and forwards Avery Hayes and Atley Calvert currently. Pittsburgh has long-considered its ECHL affiliate to be a developmental league, and that has only become more true under the current front office regime under president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas.

But, despite the developmental angle, Wheeling's proximity to Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (the organization's AHL affiliate), and the relatively small but cult following Wheeling has, the Hoffmann family made it clear from the jump that Florida was always the endgame.

"100 percent," David Hoffman said of their intention to make the Everblades the ECHL affiliate during the family's introductory press conference on Jun. 25. "I think they would run me out of Naples if they're not. We already have people wearing Penguins' jerseys at our games, so I think there's a high expectation level that's going to happen. We want to do that."

Three Takeaways From Thursday's Hoffmann Family Press ConferenceThree Takeaways From Thursday's Hoffmann Family Press ConferenceThe Hoffmann Family held their introductory press conference on Thursday after buying the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here are a few takeaways from it.

The Everblades have been a highly successful ECHL franchise in recent years, as they have won four of the past five Kelly Cup championships, including the 2026 title over the Kansas City Mavericks. They have won more Kelly Cup Championships than any team in ECHL history with five. 

Any player in the Penguins' organization signed to an NHL or an AHL contract can now be assigned to the ECHL affiliate in Florida, if eligible as far as contract terms. Any player signed to ECHL agreements will remain with their current club, meaning any ECHL-signed Penguins' prospect will remain in Wheeling. 

Penguins Netminder Named Among NHL's Best Goalie ProspectsPenguins Netminder Named Among NHL's Best Goalie ProspectsSergei Murashov has received some praise.

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Summer squad’s victory still a few points short

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Allen Graves #22 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

While they were hoping for a playoff spot, the Summer League Toronto Raptors’ 99-90 victory over the Miami heat tonight won’t clinch them a top-four spot. Sharing a 3-1 record with a number of other teams, the final seeding came down to point differential, which doesn’t fall in the Raptors’ favour. The narrow margin of their previous wins and their victory tonight just won’t cut it.

While disappointing, Summer League isn’t over yet, and Toronto will play their final “consolation” game on Saturday, July 18 at a time that is to be determined.

Allen Graves continues to thrill as he led Toronto with 23-6-4. Seth Lundy also had a strong performance with 19-3-6 and is showing potential to find himself a contract somewhere. Bittle (13), Burnett (10), and Key (11) also scored in double figures. Everyone who checked in made a contribution to the stat sheet. 

Toronto was the first on the board in the first quarter and both teams went blow for blow for the 10-minute frame. Nathan Bittle opened up the scoring in the game with a long range shot. He showed his ability to make decisions  when being run off the line with an excellent start to the game. His rebounding and size continue to be his greatest assets and probably the things that will earn him a spot on the roster this year. 

Without many stoppages, starters began to get winded with the pace of the game and timely substitutions brought back a little bit of the energy. Jamarion Sharp’s size helped create some highlight play as the frame expired:

In the second, Toronto was able to scratch back and build their own lead, with Seth Lundy making some more great shots we’ve become accustomed to. He stayed hot throughout the frame, knocking down shots with every opportunity he got.  

Allen Graves also started connecting from long range after struggling in the first frame from that distance. His court vision is the greatest thing that doesn’t stand out on a stat sheet. Reading who’s open and delivering great passes continue to demonstrate how he will fit in Toronto’s system. This was on full display throughout the entire first half as well

Toronto built a significant cushion by the midway point of the second frame, finding the bottom of the basket on almost everything, spending much of the quarter perfect from the floor. Going to the locker room, they boasted a 10 point lead. 

Miami made adjustments though, and started to fight back early on. Unlike the second, Toronto couldn’t convert anything in the first two minutes, giving up a 12-0 run for the Heat. Seth Lundy spearheading Toronto’s first points of the frame. 

The Raptors were able to stop the bleeding due to his shooting and scoring. Miami continued to charge back led by the tandem of Young and Tre White. Toronto had most of their leading scorers pulled from the floor at this point, once again resorting to a back and forth scoring stalemate. Tyreke Key tried to contribute, but struggled more in this matchup than his last couple games. A couple of incomplete putbacks were the lowlight from this quarter, but in the final minutes Toronto was able to pull back ahead. 

In the final frame, they were able to organize. The uncertainty and pressure to create as large a lead as possible seemed to set in. They finally built it to 10, but poor decision making and turning the ball over quickly made it disappear. This quarter was messy, with everyone making little plays that helped. The urgency wasn’t present for Toronto in the fading minutes of the match and some meandering play meant the game closed with only a nine point lead, a mere five points short of qualifying for the semifinal game.